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Theft of dog leaves Lowell woman's faith shaken, heart broken (VIDEO)

By Samantha Allen, sallen@lowellsun.com

Updated:
12/20/2013 08:32:17 AM EST

LOWELL -- It was intended to be an act of kindness. Saturday, Norma Von Fricken, 72, parked her car on Summer Street with the engine running so her beloved dog wouldn't get cold, and ran into Eliot Presbyterian Church to drop off pine garland decorations to deck the church's halls.

She was gone for maybe five to eight minutes, she said.

When Von Fricken returned to the street, her 1998 Honda Civic was gone and her best friend, Luke, was nowhere in sight.

Von Fricken believes the car was stolen around 11:30 a.

Norma Von Fricken, 72, of Lowell, is begging the community for help after her car was stolen in front of her church on Summer Street last Saturday. She said her small rat terrier, Luke, (inset) was inside, and she just wants her companion back. ABOVE: sun/Samantha Allen; INSet: courtesy photo

m. with her 6-year-old rat terrier inside. She's now making a public cry for help, insisting she won't press charges if the culprit comes forward.

She's not even interested in the car's return -- she just wants Luke back.

"I have no grudge against whoever it was that stole my car," she said. "All people, regardless of their crimes, are victims of their circumstances."

Lowell Police Capt. Kelly Richardson confirmed Von Fricken filed a police report the morning of Dec. 14 for her stolen vehicle and dog. He asked the public be reminded it's never a good idea to leave keys in the ignition if a vehicle is left unattended.

Forbes Magazine reported the 1998 Honda Civic compact is one of the most stolen vehicles in the United States.

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Von Fricken said she rarely leaves her car running like that; this was the exception "because of the dog," she said. "I didn't want him to get cold."

Von Fricken added her car is very recognizable -- it's covered in bumper stickers and decals on the back.

"Feed the hungry, support the police, support the Good Samaritans, support the animals ... even Planned Parenthood," she said. "I support everybody. So you just can't mistake that car."

Thysan Sam, one of the pastors at Eliot Church, said he was there Saturday when the unthinkable happened. He said Von Fricken is a thoughtful member of the local Presbyterian community, always dropping off food for Sunday's service on Saturdays. She's been a member for the past 14 years since she moved to Lowell from Chelmsford.

"We love her so much and we were so upset this thing happened to her," Sam said.

On Saturday, Sam said Von Fricken popped in with more donations, and then she went out to the street to grab one more thing. That's when she realized the car -- and Luke -- were gone.

Von Fricken adopted Luke, a cute 16-pounder with a black coat, white chest hair and brown coloring around the eyes, three years ago from the Lowell Humane Society. Jill O'Connell, executive director of the organization, said she remembers Luke as being a very good dog. She's launched a social-media campaign through Facebook to find Luke, asking the community to keep a sharp eye. He was last wearing a brown leather collar with I.D. tags.

O'Connell noted because Luke is a rescue dog that if he was abandoned or left outside, he is likely very scared. And as a small dog with little fat on his body and short hair, he may not survive the winter's cold temperatures.

"I've been in the field for a while so I've heard of a lot of lost dog stories," O'Connell added. "But this one kind of takes the cake. It's during the holiday season, there's a car parked outside a church, it's stolen, with a woman making a donation. My heart just broke for her."

Von Fricken, a Highlands resident who has battled homelessness, said she's a religious person but this incident has shaken her faith.

"That day I was depleted, emotionally, to say the least ... I prayed my heart out," she said. "I've always had a hard time but I've always been optimistic. I always believed in the good of people. I don't know what I believe anymore."

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